# Planned Bars

### What is Planned/Baseline Bars?

In a Gantt chart, planned or baseline bars represent the original schedule for tasks, providing a visual baseline for comparing against actual progress. These bars help in visualizing the project's intended timeline and monitoring any deviations from the plan. Planned bars are typically distinguished by a unique color or style for clarity.

### Planned Bars in xViz Gantt Chart

The xViz Gantt Chart offers an intuitive way to display planned bars alongside actual bars, allowing for easy comparison. It also includes parent planned bars or phase planned bars, providing a comprehensive view of both individual tasks and overarching project phases.

<figure><img src="/files/ApwAv3pXOu8gzpAttgff" alt=""><figcaption><p><em>Image 1: Planned Bars in xViz Gantt Chart</em></p></figcaption></figure>

### Steps to Display Planned Bars:

1. The dataset includes the Planned Start and Planned End columns, which are used to display planned bars in the visual as shown image below:

<figure><img src="/files/a4fL1AU2omKeJzWD1EyE" alt=""><figcaption><p><em>Image 2: Planned Start &#x26; End Columns</em></p></figcaption></figure>

2. Populate planned start and end dates in the data fields which is necessary to display planned bars.

![Image 3: Populating the Planned Start and Planned End Dates](/files/yNDkt1AruW7N27zTIvQ5)

You'll then see the planned bars for each task alongside the actual bars, as display in the image below.

<figure><img src="/files/nkDjzWsP9NWTMx0TxqPM" alt=""><figcaption><p><em>Image 4: Planned Bars with xViz Gantt Chart</em></p></figcaption></figure>

### Steps to Display Planned Bars on Parent level:

1. Now, go to the Format Pane and navigate to the Chart Options.

![Image 5: Chart Options in the Format Pane](/files/e6sybcpvFocblqy8UDGa)

2. In Chart Options Category, you will find the “Show Planned Tasks” option and enable it.

![Image 6: Enabled Show Planned Tasks](/files/CPF3NgHg2bjjIgObCBqJ)

The final result, showcasing the planned bars for the parent level too, is displayed in the image below:

<figure><img src="/files/VyqJU1kjYhxlyWItwwf0" alt=""><figcaption><p><em>Image 7: Parent Planned Bars with xViz Gantt Chart</em></p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="success" %}
The xViz Gantt Chart allows you to customize the Planned Bars - [Planned Bars Formatting](/project-management/planned-bars/planned-bars-formatting.md)
{% endhint %}


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